Chocolate Ba(Zuka)

Vanakkam!

Here is my long overdue thoughts on Zuka, a dessert joint located right opposite to Hotel President in Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. When  we decided to go to this restaurant, the first thing that intrigued me was the name. What does Zuka mean? So, I asked the almighty Google, and I got all sorts of answers from Japanese theatres to crossdressing cultures. I even got a result that simply means “Insane.” Well… In that way, this Pondicherry based restaurant is aptly named.

Zuka Entrance

One cannot miss the life-sized 600Kg Chocolate Rajnikanth right when you enter the place. But, how much ever you like Rajnikanth or willing to pay, you cannot bite him. Trust me… I asked… Multiple times. Except for the chocolate Kabali, this place looks like any other confectionery at the first glance. Once you start taking a closer look at the displayed dishes and their names, the insanity of the place becomes clearer.

The Things On Zuka

Something as conventional as Chocolate Truffle to something as ultra radical as Chocolate Pakora can be found here. But what makes this place unique is the fact that there is no fixed menu. All the more reason why you should visit this place more than once.

Beautiful Ambiance - Zuka

Serendipity and Italian Mudpie:

Trying to keep my focus on the displayed desserts and off the chocolate Kabali, we decided to go for Serendipity and an Italian Mudpie. Both amazing. 

Serendipity was essentially a Doughnut-shaped brownie with a hard chocolate plate on top of it. When served, hot Madagascar chocolate syrup at 54 degree celsius is poured on it, which makes the hard chocolate melt and pour into the hollowness of the donut shaped brownie, and some spill over. To add to the wildness of the recipe, there are two small dry brownies and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. With sprinkled cocoa powder and the most unique Thamizh mei ezhuthu written in chocolate alongside, its simply impossible not to adore looking at this. A truly serene experience. 

Serendipity - Zuka

How did it taste? Well… For me, the dark chocolate syrup took a minute before letting me understand its taste. “Yummy” is not the word to describe it. “Thrilling” is. 

The Italian Mudpie on the other hand, brings a familiar taste to your mouth. Its conventional, yet good.

Together, they create an intense experience. The polyphony reference in the climax of Nymphomaniac Vol.1 comes to my mind. The Italian Mudpie was the Bass voice: constant, familiar, yet necessary. Serendipity was the Organ: its new, aggressive, and surprises you.

Italian Mudpie - Zuka

Take a partner like I did, and try different recipes and not just one. For what it offers, Zuka is not expensive at all. Other than desserts, they have some sandwiches as well, which we never tried as they were not on display and neither was there a menu card. Decent service, easy-to-find yet location, not dedicated but available parking space all add to Zuka’s memorable experience. 

Warta! Jujube! *Thalaivar Style*

~With lots of molten chocolate,

Nachos

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